Outgoing Bulgarian MEP: EPP, Socialists Must Find Common Language

The European People's Party and the Party of European Socialists will have to find a common language due to the makeup of the new European Parliament, according to Ivaylo Kalfin.

In a Sunday interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, the outgoing Bulgarian MEP and member of the ABV Movement (Alternative for Bulgarian Revival) commented on the results of the European Parliament elections.

"These elections will substantially increase the need for cooperation between the main political parties, including between socialists and the EPP. I believe that this will be demonstrated at the election of a European Commission President. The two major political groups will have to find a common language," Kalfin stated.

However, he expressed worry about the efficiency of a potential partnership between the two main parties in the European Parliament.

Kalfin said that the new makeup of the EP would give greater room for man?uvre to anti-EU and nationalist formations.

He said that he did not expect the higher share of nationalist MEPs to cause major disturbances.

Kalfin noted that nationalist MEPs posed a threat to the EU project, adding that they would enter the European Parliament with great self-esteem due to the substantial support they had received at the EP elections.

He noted, however, that there were divisions between the nationalists of different nationalities, for instance between the French and the British ones, adding that it was rather a favorable circumstance.

Kalfin suggested that the need to reach compromise decisions between the main pro-EU parties would be much bigger.

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Europe Votes 2014

About Europe Votes 2014

Across Europe, voters in 27 countries are going to the polls to choose a total of 736 MEPs to represent them for the next five years. But what are they all voting for, or against? Are they driven by the desire to find their own voice in the union, or simply to punish their government at a time of economic crisis? Read comment on the passion and fury - not to mention indifference - across a continent from Paris to Warsaw.

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